X-ray apparatus



Sept. 21,1926. 1,600,598

- MEYER X-RAY APPARATUS v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 9. 1922 Spt. 21,1926. 1,600,598

W. MEYER X-RAY APPARATUS I Filed March 9. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 t. 21,1926. 1,600,598 w. MEYER X-RAY APPARATUS Filed March- 9,1922 1 4 Shee'ts-Sheet 4 mam may Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

I A I 1,600,598

; PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M EYER, OF CHIC-AGO, ILLINOIS.

X-HAY APPARATUS.

Application filed March a, 1922. Serial No. 542,211.

My invention relates to X-ray apparatus and the like and is especially directed to X-ray apparatus of that. typesin which a grid orso-called Bucky diaphragm is employed for screening out or eliminating cross rays before they reach the radiographic plate or film, particularly such cross or secondary rays as are set up in and emerge from the, body of the patient.

It .'s well known in the .art that where these secondary rays, are not diaphragmed or screened out an objectionable fog or clouding is produced and the diagnostic valu'e -of the radiograph is decreased. The matter of eliminating secondary radiation from the body, to secure clear, sharp detail is particularly important where the individ ual or patient is heavy or especially corpulent. It has become the practice to screen out'secondary or cross rays by moving a, grid or grating made up of alternate laminations of wood or other material penetrable by X-rays and lamin'a'tions of material impermeable by such rays, across the rays. emanating from the source of X-rays employed between the iatient and the plate or film.

I find that tie grid mechanisms provided,

heretofore for use in this connection have either :not possessed sufficient structural strength or have not permitted that ready penetration of the direct rays which is so essential.

it is an object of my invention to provide a simple, strong, durable and eflicient grid through which even the softest rays will readily penetrate without obstruction.

Another object of my invention .is the provision of a simple, inexpensive, efficient and effective process of making the'same.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a grid operating andcontrolling mechanism the functioning and structure of which will be an improvement over the functioning and structures of the prior 'art mechanisms.

A still further object is to improve the functioning and structure of the various parts of the entire apparatus and to improve the assembly and relation therebetween.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated a pan, ticular embodiment in order to, fully an prise those skilled in the art howto con-1 'struct and practice the same.

rectangular frame.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an X- ray table embodying 'my invention;

Fig. 2 is atop plan view partially in section of the Bucky diaphragm;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the same; Fig. i is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2;

'Figs. '5 and 6 are fragmentary isometric views of the strips or 'laminations from which the grid is made up;

.ili'g. 7 is an isometric View .ofthese strips with the first step of the process performed Fig. "8 is a similar view after the next step ofthe process has been performed;

' 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 9 '9 of Fig. 2

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on the line IO-1O of 'Fig. '9

Fig. 11 is'an enlarged fragmentary side elevatijonal view of the diaphragm frame showing the releasing arrangement provided for the grid operating mechanism;

F 12 isan axial sectional view through the dash pot mechanism for controlling the and F g. 17 is a fragmentary elevational view ofthe tube standard showing an alternative balancing arrangement for the carriage mounted thereupon.

In theembodimentof the invention selected for illustration, the table 1 comprises a pair of corner posts or legs 2 at one end and a pan of relatlvely shorter legs or posts 2 at the opposite end secured together by side pieces-aa and end pieces 4, to form a A rail 5 extends between and is secured at its opposite ends to one pair of posts or legs 22 adjacent their lower ends. A pair of bracing rods 6 and 7 secured at a commeextend up and are secured at their opposite "u point to the rail 5, j

ends to the respective side pieces of the table. The sides and ends of the table may be otherwise braced by suitable transverse and diagonal corner braces as desired.

A top portion 8 extends over and is secured to that'end of the table adjacent the legs 22. A top portion 9 set down from the top portion 8 to receive the so-called Bucky diaphragm mechanism 10 which will be more fully described as this description proceeds, extends over and is .secured to the opposite end of the table frame. The top portions 8 and 9 are preferably finished in natural wood as is the rest of the table, although it is to be understood that the top portion 8 may, for example, be covered with suitable fabric or the like if so desired. A foot board 11 hinged at the outer end of the top portion 8 is finished in a similar manner and adapted to be dropped down and retained in any desired position by a quadrant a pin, for

12 adapted for cooperation with example, projecting from the adjacent leg 2.

The f 22 are provided with anti-friction rollers or casters 13 in order that the table may be readily moved to any desired position. One pair of legs is further provided with suitable stops 14, by means of which the table may be locked against accidental movement.

A tube standard 15 is supported and. guided longitudinally along one side of the table by guide rods 16 secured along the upper edge of the rail 5 and the lower edge of the adjacent side piece 3. Guide members 17 bearing rollers 18 cooperable with the rods 16 are clamped or otherwise secured in proper position upon the standard 15. The radiographic or X-ray tube 19, is enclosed in a lead glass shield 20, supported by an arm. 21 angularly adjustable about the end of. an extension arm 22. The arm 22 is adjustably mounted in a frame or carriage member 23 which is in turn mounted upon the .standard 15 for vertical and angular ad justment thereupon. The tube shown is of the well known Coolidge type having the usual high potential conductor 24 connected to the anode thereof at one end and a high potential conductor 25 and cathode heating conductor 26 connected to the other end. The drop leads 24, 25 and 26 especially the leads 25, 26 in the cathode heating circuit are preferably insulated to maintain constant resistances in the circuits. These leads '24, 25 and 26 unwind from spring take-up reels 27 depending from a transversely arranged cross arm 28, which arm is supported at one end by a mounting piece 29 secured to the cap 30 closing the top of the tubular standard 15. The arm 28 is of wood or otherwise insulated. The cable 31 attached at one end to the frame or carriage member 23 may extend up and over a pulley and be attached at its opposite end to a counterour corner posts or legs 22 and.

weight movable within the standard 15 as shown in Fig. 1 or it may extend up and over a pulley 190 down to form a bight 192, up over a pulley 193 and down and connected at its opposite end to the carriage 23 as shown in Fig. 17. In the lattercase the counterweight 194 is mounted as through a suitable hook or eye 195 in the bight 192 of the cable.

The high potential and heating currents are conducted from suitable sources (not shown) to hollow conducting rods or tubes 32 extending longitudinally over the table and secured at their opposite ends in trancversely arranged carrying pieces 33, each of which is secured at one end to the upper end of an upright post 34. Suitable binding posts 32 for attaching the high potential conductors are seemed to the ends of the tubes or hollow rods 32 and they serve the additional function of anchoring the ends of the rods to the wooden cross frame pieces 33. The lower ends of the posts 34 are secured to one side of the table adjacent its opposite ends. Electrical connection between the conductors 24, 25 and 26 and the respective conducting rods 32 is had through contact pieces 35 engaging the rods 32 at one end and secured at their opposite ends to the cross arm28 and electrically connected with the respective conductors 24, 25 and 26 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 or 15. A radiator 38 provides for dissipating or radiating the heat away from the tube 19.

The rays emanating from the tube 19 pene trate the desired portion of the patients body and produce the desired shadow graph by acting upon a sensitized plate or film contained in a holder 39 movable over the top portion 9. The plate or film is preferably arranged in a cassette of the type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 542,212, filed March 9, 1922, whichis then arranged in the holder 39, which is provided with a retention spring 40 for preventing displacement thereof. The under surface of the holder 39 is provided with a pair of guide rollers 41 which engage in a guide slot 42 extending longitudinally through the top portion 9. V

The Bucky diaphragm mechanism comprises a frame made of metallic side-pieces 45 and end pieces 46 secured together and mounted upon the table top portion 9. The upper edges of the end pieces 46 are formed with concave edges and the" side pieces 45 are provided with flanges 47 extending inwardly along the curvature of these edges.

A novel patent supporting surface or diaphragm covering 50 transparent to X- rays is arranged over and secured to the up per concave edges of the end pieces 46 and to the inwardly extending flanges 47. This surface or covering 50 is made up of bakelite or other equivalent suitable material such as that more fully disclosed and claimedinmy co-pending application, Serial No. 542,210, filed March 9, 1922, consisting of a compacted web-or felting of vegetable fiber, more specifically characterized as a made .up of alternate laminae of material mounted readily penetr'able by X-rays such as'wood or the like'and material 'non-penetrable by X-rays such as lead foil, or a composition oflead foil and antimony. The wood laminae are in the form of strips 60 having-longitudinal tongues 661 extending along one surface from end to end. By the first step in'theprocess of making up the grid a lead foil strip or lami1ia'62 is-s'ecured, preferably with silicate of soda or water glass, upon the opposite or "uninterrupted surfaces of each of the strips 60. The surfaces thus faced are then ,grooved longitudinally as shown at64 in Fig. 8 to receive thej'longitudinal tongues 61 of the adjacent wood strips and the strips or laminae are then or secured in a frame comprising end pieces 65 and 66 and channeled side such secondary raysas' secured together. The side pieces may be bowed inwardly-and-the ends thereof sprung in and secured 'to the end pieces to firmly clamp orbind the grid structure together.

The grid structure-isxcurved-as shown for the usual purp0se,'i. e.,'sothat aniaximuin number of laminations will lie substantially radially with respect 'to the'source of'rays throughout its various positionswith respect to the grid. To secure the desired curvature, the wood strips and even the strips 62 maybe madewedge shaped or the clamping together of parallel faced'strip's may-be sufficient to givetlie desired curvature. As the grid is nioved across therays projected pieces 67 suitably from the tube 19 as will be presently "described, the rays directly from the source will pass through the strips 60 while any non-radial or cross rays and particularly are set up in and emerge from the body of the'patie'ntwill be screened out or eliminated 'by the 'nonpenetrable strips or laminae-62. The grid or diaphragm thus formed ismechanically strong "being secured by 'the tongue and groove against shifting 'or offsetting.

cord or cable68 is secured Onejend of a- Inetallicband or tape "69 to the under surface of the end piece substantially centrally as by means of a suitable bolt "as shown. The opposite end of the cable 68 is secured together with the free end ofa metallic'band or tape 70 to the under surface of the end piece 66 in a similar manner. The cable '68 extends over sheaves 71 out along the outer surface of the 4 adjacent side piece '45 and is looped intermediate its ends through notches 72 in the outer disk of a sheave-like member 74 fixedly mounted upon a shaft 7 5.

The outer end of the shaft 75 is provided with a handle 76. The inner end of the shaft, extends through the adjacent frame piece 45 and into the cylinder of a dash pot 78, (Fig. 12). A pinion 79 secured to the end of the shaft meshes with a rack 80 to the opposite ends of which are secured plunger headsor pistons 81 and 82 respectively, operable as a unit with the rack 80 within the cylinder 78. A port 83 through the piston .81 places that portion of the in teriorof-the cylinder 78 between the pistons 81 and 82 in communication with .that portionof the cylinder to the left of the piston 81 (Fig. 12) at all times. A port 84 through the piston 82 provides for communication between the interior of the cylinder 7 8 between the pistons 81 and 82 and that portion to the right of the piston 82 (Fig. 12) at "such times as will hereinafter appear. This latter port 84 is-con'trolled'by a ball valve member '85-arranged to seat upon a cooperatingseat in the'outer face of the piston "82 to close the port 84: upon movement of "the piston and rack device to the right, ('Fig. '12.). The valve member 85 is held in place by a'valve cage 86 attached to the which may 'be in the nature of a drill hole suitably plugged at its outer end provides communication between the interior of the c'ylinder"78 t0 the right of the piston 82' and the passage 90 by way of aconnecting passage 9 1 foi'med inthecylinder casting as shown in Figure 13. A needle valve 95 having its stem threaded through a valve bushing 96 which inturn is threaded into the "casting 78 is provided at its outer end with'a knurleddcnob 97 by means of which the valve "may be adjusted to control the communication between the interior of the cylinder 78 to the right o'fthe piston-82 andthe by-pass'baclr to the interior of the cylinder-between the pistons 81'and' 82. The cylinder 78 is filled with a suitable riuid preferably a *viscous' liquid such as a suitable oil the rate of flow of which from that portion of the cylinder beyond the piston 82 back to the central portion, governs the movement of the plunger and rack member to the right, the ball valve 85 being firmly seated by such movement to close the port.

84. This lay-passing or flow back to the central portion of the cylinder may be adjusted or regulated by the needle valve 05 I to regulate the rate of movement of the pislon itudinall' of the Buck dia ahrabin frame adjacent one of the sides thereof and journaied at its ends in bearings 103 (Fig. 9) carried by the end pieces 46. A helical take-up spring 104 coiled about one end of the shaft 101 and secured at one end to the reel is secured at its opposite end to a collar 105 fixed upon the shaft 101. A similar take-up spring 106 coiled about the opposite end of the shaft 101 is secured at one end to the reel 102 and at its opposite end to a collar 107 red upon the shaft 101. A worm 108 mounted in bearing lugs projecting from the end piece 46 with a worm wheel 109 fixed upon the adjacent end of the shaft 102 holds the shaft 102 against rotation. The outer end of the worm 108 is provided wit-h a slot 110 for engagement by a suitable tool 111 as shown in Figure 2 for the purpose of rotating the shaft and l thereby adjusting the tension of the springs 104 and 106 as desired. This provision for adjusting the springs 104 and 106 provides with the adjustable dash pot arrangement already described, a great range of regula tion for the speed of movement of the grid 51. Anti-friction rollers 170 carried by the end pieces of the grid frame are mounted to travel upon tracks 171 carried by the opposite end walls 46.

From the foregoing description it will now be apparent that when the sheave member 74 is turned in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. the grid 51 is moved from the full line position shown in Fig. 4 to the dotted line position. At the same time the bands 69 and 70 are unwound from their respective reels and the springs 104 and 106 wound or tensioned. As the sheave member 74 nears the end of its angular movement a lug 115 extending from the inner surfacethereof, engages a pawl 116 carried by a lever 117 which pawl projects outwardly through an opening 118 in the side frame 45, swinging the pawl 116 aside and continuing into engagement with a stop 119 projecting from the outer face of the frame piece. The lever. 117 is pivoted at 120 to the inner face of the frame'piece 45 and is engaged by suitable spring 121 so that upon movement of lug 1.15 past the pawl 116 and into engagement with the stop 119 the lever will be returned by the spring 121 to the position shown in Figure 11, the pawl 116 engaging over the lug 115 and thereby preventing retrograde movement or rotation of the sheave member 74.

Cords or cables 125 and 126 attached to i and 101 and thereby move the grid 51 at a,

suitable speed governed by the needle valve 95 of the dash pot mechanism 78 and the tension of the spring 104106, back into the full line position shown in Figure 4. As the grid 51 nears the end of its movement in this direction the lug 115 engages a spring pressed hammer arm 130 and swings the same outwardly against the tension of a spring 131. Upon being released the hammer 130 is swung by the spring 131 into engagement with a bell 132 to indicate that the grid is nearing the end of its movement. Upon movement of the lug 115 into engagement with a stop 133 the grid is brought to rest.

A fabric band attached to a bar 141 extending along the upper edge of one side of the diaphragm frame provides for compressing and holding in place the particular part of the body of the patient to be ex amined. The free end of the band 140 carries a border rod or frame piece 142 insertible into a longitudinal slot 143 in a tubular drum member 144 mounted for rotation in lugs 145 extending from the opposite side of the diaphragm frame. A stud 146 pro 'jecting from one end of the tubular winding member 144 carries a handle 147 for turning the tube and a ratchet 148 cooperable with a pawl 149 pivoted to the adjacent lug 145 for holding the winding member in the position at which the handle 147 is released upon winding the free end of the band 140 upon the winding member to bind the patient in place. i

The operating sheave 74, cord 68, bell 132 and sheave 71 are enclosed by a cover 150 shown in place in Fig. 1. The outer end 46 of the diaphragm frame is provided with a notch 151 to permit movementof the holder 39 at least partially therethrough, the adjacent end piece 4 of the table being notched at 152 to permit the accompanying movement of the retention spring 40 out through the end the table. A. notch 153 in top messes portion 9 permits convenient access to the holder and cassette arranged therein.

1 The holder 39" is provided with an arm 160." which extends out' through a lengttudi opening 161 inthe 'side' piece 0f the diaphragm frame into the path of move ment of the standard 15. along the table. This arnr is preferably positioned on the carrier 39 sothat upon engagement with the standard 15 as shown in Figure 2-,theti'1b'e' or-source 19 carried thereby will be positioned substantially centrally with respect to thesensitized plate or film arranged with-' in the holder A pointer 162 carried by the standard 15 is adapted with a scale along the adjacent side of'the diaphragmfframe to indicate the position of the standard along the diaphragm mecha' nisin and thereby facilitate the positioning of the standard. Adjacent its outer end the arm- 160 carries a. visualizing 'bar' 163 the length and position longitudinally along the table of which is substantially that of the sensitized plate or film so that the position of the plate or film may be quickly visualized from the side of the table.

lVhile the various details and the arrangements shown are now considered preferable, it is to be understood that such details and arrangements may be varied Within the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a diaphragm of the class described, the combination of a grid and a covering for said grid, said covering comprising a relatively thin sheet composed of a phenol product of condensation.

2. In combination, a Bucky diaphragm, a tube standard movable therealong, a plate holder adjustable therebeneath, said holder having an arm extending into the path of movement of the tube standard.

3. In combination, a Bucky diaphragm,

a tube standard movable therealong, a plate holder adjustable therebeneath, said holder having an extending arm and means carried by said arm for visualizing the position of the plate or film fromthe side of the table.

4. In a device of the class described, a movable grid, a flexible element having connection with said grid adjacent its opposite ends, and means cooperable with said flexible element between its points of connection with the grid for actuating or moving the rid. D 5. In a device of the class described, a movable grid, a flexible element having connection with said grid adjacent its opposite ends, a rotatable winding member, the flexible element being looped about said winding member to actuate the grid by rotation thereof.

6. In a device of the class described, a movable grid, a flexible element connected with said grid and adapted for winding for cooperation upon and unwinding from a takeupreeI, spring means for opposing unwinding of said fl'eiible element, means'for moving the grid in one direction, said spring means moving the grid in the opposite direction.

7, In device of the class described, a movable grid, a flexible element connected with said grid and adapted for winding upon and unwinding from a take-up reel mounted upon a shaft, a helical spring coiled about said shaft and connected to the shaft and said reel',and means for rotating the shaft to-a'djus't the tension of said spring.

' 8'. In a device of the class described, a movable grid, flexible elements connected with said grid and adapted for windingupon and unwinding from take-up reels mount-' ed upon a'coinmon shaft, a worm wheel on said shaft, a worm cooperating with said' worm wheel; said worm being adapted for rotation to turn the shaft and adjust the'ten-' sion" of said spring. j

9. In'combination, a diaphragm frame, a giid movable therein, a fl'enribleelement, a pair of bands, said bands being connected to the grid with the opposite ends of said continuous flexible element and adapted for winding upon and unwinding from take-up reels mounted upon a common shaft arranged through the diaphragm frame, means cooperable with the flexible element within its len th for moving the grid in one direc tion and spring means opposing movement of said grid by said first means, said spring means being adapted for moving the grid in the opposite direction.

10. In combination, a movable grid, means for moving said grid, stop means for preventing movement of the grid and remote controlled means for releasing said stop means to permit movement of the grid.

11. In icombination, a movable grid, a cable connected at its opposite ends to said grid, a winding member, the cable being looped about said member to actuate-the grid by rotation thereof, spring means wound upon movement of the grid by rotation of said member, said spring means being adapted for moving the grid in the opposite direction, means for preventing movement of the grid by said spring means, and means for releasing said last means to permit movement of the grid by said spring means.

12. In combination, a movable grid, a ro- 14;. In an X-ray table,a supporting frame I having a top portion adjacent one end, a

top portion adjacent the opposite end, said second top portion being oflset down from said first top portion, and a diaphra m mechanism supported by said downwardly ofiset top. portion in substantially the plane of said first top portion.

15. In combination, a tube standard, a carriage mounted for movement thereupon, a cable connected at its opposite ends to said carriage and a weight arranged in a bight in said cable and slidable in said standard.

16. In combination, a tube standard, a carriage mounted for movement thereupon, a cable connected at one end to said carriage, said cable extending up over a pulley, down to form a bight up over a second pulley and down and connected at its opposite end to the carriage, and a weight arranged in the bight in said cable.

17. In combination, a movable grid, means for moving said grid, stop means for preventing movement of the grid, and means spring take-up reel and for releasing said stop means to permit movement of the grid.

18. In combination, a movable grid, spring means for moving and means for moving said grid in the other direction, said second means tensioning said spring means.

19. In combination, a movable grid, means for moving said grid and dash pot means for controlling the movement of the grid.

20. In a device of the class described, a movable grid, a flexible element connected therewith, and means connected with said flexible element for moving the grid therethrough. I

21. In a device of the class described, a movable grid, a flexible element connected therewith, and means connected with said flexible element for moving the grid in opposite directions, said means including a a winding element.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 6th day of March, 1922.

WVILLIAM MEYER.

said grid in one direction, 7 

